Delegate Bobby Orrock’s End of January Update

Now that the General Assembly is moving along and cross-over will be upon us shortly, I want to give you an idea of some of the legislation before us. Committee meetings are well underway and legislation dealing with jobs creation, improving education, energy, health care, veterans, transportation, and budget proposals are all high on everyone’s agenda.

A steadying economy is increasing revenues by approximately 6.8% year to date.  A conservative house budget proposal will use the modest revenue increase to eliminate fees, protect our AAA credit rating by paying cash for capital projects, protect tax incentives that work for families and businesses and provide pay raises for state police, state employees and teachers and no additional cuts to higher education or K-12.  Transportation and road projects, as always, are also on the high priority list.

The House is also working to take some of the bureaucracy out of K-12 by expending the retake of any Standards of Learning test, with the exception of the writing SOL assessment, to all students regardless of grade level and supporting teachers by increasing opportunities for professional development.  The House Budget also supports an additional $60 million in funding for K-12 education.

Several motor vehicle bills are before us.  The use of body-worn cameras by the Department of Police; increased penalties for driving on suspended or revoked license and causing death of another person; and preserving the current motor vehicle sales and use tax exemption, just to site a few.

 I am glad to report that we have passed bills funding Virginia’s share of construction for Veterans Care Centers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Also, there have been 32 bills and 9 budget amendments submitted in the House showing strong support for veterans

As your Delegate, I am committed to protecting older Virginians from fraud, and increasing access to the healthcare and the medicine they need.  Also, we are working to ensure that we can address the medical care needs of the uninsured, without expanding Medicaid.

The House of Delegates is standing strong for the Second Amendment.  The House has or will soon defeat the anti-gun measures proposed by Gov. McAuliffe.  Some are already before the full House of Delegates for consideration and others are still in committee.  As a longtime supporter of our Second Amendment Rights, I will continue to and support those bills that protect those rights.

I welcome input from all my constituents on issues of interest to you.  Contact my office in Richmond by phone at 804-698-1054 or e-mail at delborrock@house.virginia.gov.  Again, I appreciate your trust and support in representing you in the 54^th District.

Sincerely,

Robert D. “Bobby” Orrock, Sr.